AC Milan and USMNT star Christian Pulisic drew two of three Lazio red cards as Serie A clash turned ugly.
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Pulisic drew two of three Lazio red cardsPellegrini and Guendouzi sent off for fouls on USMNT starMilan beat Lazio 1-0WHAT HAPPENED?
AC Milan edged out Lazio to pick three crucial points on Friday in the Serie A courtesy of a late strike from Noah Okafor. The game witnessed three Lazio players sent off out of which two were drawn by Milan's Pulisic. In the 57th minute, Luca Pellegrini got his marching order after picking up his second yellow card of the match. Towards the end of the game, Adam Marusic was shown a direct red card for dissenting while former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was sent off for a foul on the USMNT star.
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Speaking to after the match, Rossoneri boss Stefano Pioli said, "It was an ugly, tense match. We had a slow tempo in the first half and should’ve moved it around quicker, finding more space. It was a balanced game with very few chances. We started better after the break and made the most of Lazio’s errors."
Pioli further revealed what Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri told him on the touchline. He said, "Sarri told me ‘The ball was going out of play’ – but the referee did not blow the whistle. Pulisic is a fair player, he did what he did. I don’t see why the onus should’ve been on us to put the ball out of play. If that is what they wanted, then why didn’t they do it?"
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Pulisic has been consistently performing since he moved to Italy from Chelsea in the summer. The US international has scored seven league goals and provided six assists in 25 appearances thus far.